START: Ardagh Challenge 10 Mile Road Race and Fun Run 2018
This is a photograph from the annual Ardagh Moydow Glen Community Games 5KM and 10 Mile road races, 5KM fun runs, walks and challenges which were held in the heritage village of Ardagh, Co. Longford, Ireland on Saturday 29th December 2018 at 13:00. This race has grown year on year since its first running a few years ago. This year seen one of the largest overall entries in the races.
We have an extensive set of photographs from the race start and the finish on our Flickr photostream set at www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157703633931361
Timing and Event management was provided by Irish company PopupRaces - check their website at www.popuparces.ie
The 10 mile race takes in the local 'Ardagh Mountain' which is a 1 mile continuous climb starting at the 2.5 mile mark of the 10 mile race. There is, of course, then the reward of a long down-hill stretch after the summit. This forested hill or mountain was once a famous centre of pre-Christian religious worship and is believed to have been the home of a pre–christian diety named Midir (the God of the Underworld), and also a Prince of the "Tuatha De Dannan", the fairy people of Ireland. The hill or mountain itself is named after Brí, the daughter of Midhir and her doomed love, Leith who are reputed to be buried on the hill. The remainder of the race is challenging but fair, with some much smaller and less steep hills in the race profile. Miles 3 - 7 benefit from some downhill as the race route travels around the base of the hills. The roads are predominantly rural roads with little traffic. The 10 mile race finishes in the same finish as the 5KM race. Water stops and adequate stewarding at junctions is provided.
The 5KM race takes a loop around the heritage village of Ardagh. This allows runners, walkers and joggers of all ability to take part over a more manageable distance. Overall this is a very well organised race with accurate courses, good marshalling and traffic control and excellent after race refreshments. The 10 mile race is one of the longest road races held during the Christmas period anywhere in Ireland and has appeal to runners who want to add a longer distance race to their festive calendar of running.
The weather at this year's race was almost perfect for running. The rain managed to stay away and there was little or no breeze. Indeed conditions could be described as mild with temperatures of 11C. In 2014 there was very frosty icy weather and in 2015 participants were given a very very windy day with heavy rain at the finish of both races. The 2016 and 2017 event seen very suitable weather for road racing in late December.
Ardagh is probably County Longford's most picturesque village with many historical and architecturally important features. It is located about 6 miles from Longford town.
Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2017: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157688852560892
Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2016: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157678237005786
Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2015: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157662725299342
Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2014: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157649570517620
START: Ardagh Challenge 10 Mile Road Race and Fun Run 2018
This is a photograph from the annual Ardagh Moydow Glen Community Games 5KM and 10 Mile road races, 5KM fun runs, walks and challenges which were held in the heritage village of Ardagh, Co. Longford, Ireland on Saturday 29th December 2018 at 13:00. This race has grown year on year since its first running a few years ago. This year seen one of the largest overall entries in the races.
We have an extensive set of photographs from the race start and the finish on our Flickr photostream set at www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157703633931361
Timing and Event management was provided by Irish company PopupRaces - check their website at www.popuparces.ie
The 10 mile race takes in the local 'Ardagh Mountain' which is a 1 mile continuous climb starting at the 2.5 mile mark of the 10 mile race. There is, of course, then the reward of a long down-hill stretch after the summit. This forested hill or mountain was once a famous centre of pre-Christian religious worship and is believed to have been the home of a pre–christian diety named Midir (the God of the Underworld), and also a Prince of the "Tuatha De Dannan", the fairy people of Ireland. The hill or mountain itself is named after Brí, the daughter of Midhir and her doomed love, Leith who are reputed to be buried on the hill. The remainder of the race is challenging but fair, with some much smaller and less steep hills in the race profile. Miles 3 - 7 benefit from some downhill as the race route travels around the base of the hills. The roads are predominantly rural roads with little traffic. The 10 mile race finishes in the same finish as the 5KM race. Water stops and adequate stewarding at junctions is provided.
The 5KM race takes a loop around the heritage village of Ardagh. This allows runners, walkers and joggers of all ability to take part over a more manageable distance. Overall this is a very well organised race with accurate courses, good marshalling and traffic control and excellent after race refreshments. The 10 mile race is one of the longest road races held during the Christmas period anywhere in Ireland and has appeal to runners who want to add a longer distance race to their festive calendar of running.
The weather at this year's race was almost perfect for running. The rain managed to stay away and there was little or no breeze. Indeed conditions could be described as mild with temperatures of 11C. In 2014 there was very frosty icy weather and in 2015 participants were given a very very windy day with heavy rain at the finish of both races. The 2016 and 2017 event seen very suitable weather for road racing in late December.
Ardagh is probably County Longford's most picturesque village with many historical and architecturally important features. It is located about 6 miles from Longford town.
Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2017: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157688852560892
Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2016: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157678237005786
Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2015: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157662725299342
Our Photographs from Ardagh 10 Mile 2014: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157649570517620